Biodegradable products are made from materials that will decompose with the help of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, with or without oxygen.
In short, it means an item will decompose without leaving any pollution.
In reality, every product that we use will ultimately break down. However, the question is how long it will take for it to do so. It certainly takes an awfully long time for plastic packaging to decompose.
Hence, scientists developed biodegradable plastics to address plastic pollution.
Biodegradable plastics are typically made from renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals (not ideal for the environment), or a combination of all three.
If biodegradable items are buried in a landfill without exposure to bacteria, oxygen, heat, or light, they will never decompose, just like single-use plastic.
It’s vital to research how the biodegradable product we plan to purchase will be disposed of or recycled.
Compostable or bioplastics are a much better replacement for biodegradable plastics, which are made from plant-based materials such as bamboo or sugarcane rather than fossil fuels. Bioplastics and compostable materials break down into water, oxygen and compost.
Compostable packaging is often used for takeaway foods. Even if the food is mixed with compostable plastic, both can be disposed of together, as food is compostable.
Compostable goods are fully biodegradable; however, for the process to occur, the right composting environment is required, enabling the products to break down within 90 days, leaving the soil beautifully nurtured. Awesome result!!!
If you have a compost heap or bin at home, keep in mind that only a tiny fraction of compostable plastic can be placed in either. Most compostable plastics require high temperatures and humidity to break down, which can only occur in an industrial composter.
For bioplastics to break down under natural conditions, microorganisms must be introduced into the process. In the natural environment, the product will break down into water, carbon dioxide, and other minerals, allowing the earth to absorb all elements, leaving no toxic residue.
Some products that naturally biodegrade in a domestic compost heap or in nature won’t break down in conventional landfills because they lack the bacteria, water, or light needed for the process to occur.
Keep in mind that whether you choose biodegradable, compostable, or bioplastic products, they will need the right environment to break down, and some require a professional composting facility. Always make sure you know how to recycle any of those products.
In my opinion, the best thing we, consumers, can do is avoid single-use plastic and opt for reusable options, while gravitating towards naturally biodegradable products, which will reduce waste and pollution.
Natural biodegradable materials include:
– Human and animal excreta,
– Plant products such as natural rubber, paper, wood, leaves, cotton, wool, etc
– Dead remains of living organisms,
– Kitchen waste,
– Agricultural waste.
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